Virginians monitor children’s phone more than national average; here’s why that may be good

Editor’s note: The above video from the Digital Desk took place in July 2024.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia parents are stricter on social media than the national average, new survey shows. However, there may be some good reasons to monitor your child’s online interactions.

More and more surveys have come out showing the negative effects of social media on teens and adults. National data shows that prolonged use of social networking sites may be related to signs of depression, low self esteem, etc., according to the National Library of Medicine .

The internet has also continually become a battleground for predators looking to exploit minors with an estimated 500,000 active each day, according to Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center.

Virginia has also taken steps to address excessive phone usage in general, which can negatively impact young adults. Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently issued an executive order against phone usage in schools.

Editor’s note: The above video from the Digital Desk took place in April 2024.

The study done by HostingAdvice included 3,000 parents discussing how they manage their children’s social media content.

According to the survey, over half of Virginia parents (58%) actively control the websites and social media sites their children visit (compared to a national average of 52%). Among these, 36% said they monitor their children’s online habits daily.

33% of parents surveyed said they routinely check their children’s browser history to stay informed about their online activities. 25% said they use parental control software to restrict access to inappropriate content and monitor usage. 22% of parents said they sit down with their children to discuss online behavior and instill safe internet practices. 18% said they occasionally restrict online access to ensure their children stay within safe digital boundaries.

Parents listed their primary concerns regarding their children’s social media use:

• 44% of parents surveyed said they are most concerned about their children being exposed to inappropriate content online.
• 27% cited cyberbullying as their primary concern, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue when it comes to online interactions.
• 17% of parents said they worry about the health implications of significant screentime, including its impact on physical and mental well-being.
• 11% said they have concerns about the sharing of their children’s data, underscoring the importance of privacy in the digital age.

A majority of parents surveyed believe it’s OK for children to start using social media at age 13 or older. Around 37% of parents said 16+ and only 13% of parents surveyed think it is OK to start using social media from age 10.

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